Truman Miller

Truman J. (T.J.) Miller, 92, passed away June 9, 2009 in Gainesville , Florida , of complications related to Alzheimer’s. Truman was born in Loflin , Missouri , February 15, 1917, and grew up on a small farm there. He moved to Topeka , Kansas in November of 1943 with his wife, Iris, where he lived until after her death in 1985. He married his second wife, Ruth Teeters Miller, in 1990 and returned to Southeast Missouri where he lived in Cape Girardeau , Missouri . Truman moved to Florida in March 2008 after the death of Ruth. Truman attended Southeast Missouri State and worked as a school teacher and principal in southeast Missouri for five years before moving to Kansas in 1943 to pursue construction work. He served in the US Navy from January 1945 until October 1945, and was on board the USS Missouri for Japan ’s signing of the Surrender Agreement on September 2, 1945. He then had an opportunity to train for and work as a draftsman for the State of Kansas. After completing his civil engineering degree, he began working as a design engineer for the Kansas Highway Department. In 1952 he went to work for a consulting engineering firm where he was named an Associate, doing both design work and field work for major public water and sewer systems and the Kansas Turnpike. In 1963, he returned to the Kansas Highway Department, where he continued working until retirement in June of 1983. Truman enjoyed a full and active life. He was very involved in church work in Topeka , Kansas , both at First Baptist and Westside Baptist. He was also an avid gardener, always planting a large vegetable garden. He also had a passion for flowers and landscaping, working with many varieties of roses, tulips, irises, jonquils and gladiolas. He was a skilled carpenter and a true handyman – he could fix or build almost anything -- and dearly loved any type of carpentry project. Truman was humbly proud of all his children and grandchildren. He is survived by three children - Keith (Linette) Miller of Parker, CO; Robert (Mary) Miller of Simi Valley , CA; and Liz (John) Harvey of Gainesville , FL. Truman has 17 grandchildren – Shannon Ridout, Devin, Erin, and Morgan Miller; Troy Miller, Todd Miller (deceased), Kristen Ratliff, Carrelle DeSimone, Deanna, Travis, Tory, and Krystle Miller; Kristi Vaughan, Rock Fitzpatrick (deceased), and Erin Fitzpatrick; Ashley and Thad Harvey; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Ruth’s sons, Dave & Bill Teeters, deserve special mention for accepting Truman into their families. Truman was preceded in death by his first wife, Iris, his daughter, Sharon Fitzpatrick, his second wife, Ruth, his sister, Eloise Swan, his brother, Louis Miller, his daughter-in-law, Rothi Miller, and his grandsons, Rock Fitzpatrick and Todd Miller. He outlived virtually all the friends and family of his generation. The family will greet friends and relatives for visitation at the Kevin Brennan Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd. , Friday evening, June 12, from 5:00-7:00 PM. A service in celebration and remembrance of Truman’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 AM at Westside Baptist Church , 1008 SW 4th St. , Topeka , Kansas . Graveside services will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery . Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Hospice of the Natue Coast , 201 NE 1st Ave. , High Springs , FL 32643 .

Truman Miller

February 15, 1917 - June 12, 2009